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Post by mauser98k on Jan 15, 2006 20:22:09 GMT -5
Where can you find US greatcoats?! I have looked everywhere!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 15, 2006 22:11:27 GMT -5
Be patient and look in thrift shops on a regular basis or antique/ militaria shops. They typically don't bring much money as they take up a lot of space and grandpa stored them away along with his dress uniform thinking they'd be worth something. Because so many dress uniforms got hung onto, their value (unless there is something exceptional about it) is minimal. Field uniforms on the other hand got worn and subsequently worn out which is why actual M41s and actual jump tunics and pants bring so much money. You can usually buy decent US great coats for $30 to $40 or even less if you're lucky. Unfortunately if you buy them online they're expensive to ship.
I find if I cruise thru the thrift shops every ten days or so and know where to look (so it takes very little time.) Lots of treasures turn up. WW2 veterans unfortunately are dying at such an incredible rate these days (2000 a day!) and their kids have no idea what they're giving away to goodwill. Goodwill and St Vincente De Paul has no idea how to price them so,.... If you know what you're looking for there are some great values (if you get there first!)
I recently got a beautiful, fairly large M-43 for 10.00 a wind cheater jacket for 12.00 and a gorgeous and very rare tankers helmet for $15.00. (They were size 38 and 40 which is rare) The M-43 and tanker jacket had an armored patch so it probably all got given away together. Those would probably bring 250.00 to 300.00 collectively on Ebay!
The tanker jacket and helmet being the most valuable.
Mauser your small size is a huge plus as GIs were tiny. At the beginning of WW2 the average chest size of an american GI was 34!!! By the end of the war it went all the way to 36!!! This was partly cause GIs were of course young and in great shape but also because the world was coming out of the great depression. My father literally joined the National Guard in 1939 so he could get three square meals and clothes on his back while going thru basic. With 12 brotehers and sisters there wasn't enought food to go around.
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Post by mauser98k on Jan 16, 2006 14:37:40 GMT -5
I got a guy on the reenactors forum selling some, 15 dollars shipped! 38r but thats good, i can grow into it.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 16, 2006 18:21:39 GMT -5
38 r will be huge on you as that was designed to go over a shirt, sweater, field jacket but as you say you can grow into it. As heavy as they are It'll cost him $15.00 to mail it to you! Sounds like a super great buy.
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Post by mauser98k on Jan 16, 2006 18:28:56 GMT -5
Yea, I have a full outfit too that would go underneath it. BUT i can also get it tailored if it is going to be huge for a LONG time. And believe me my dad is 6'5
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 16, 2006 19:03:35 GMT -5
Yikes! Odds are you'll be way too big for it within 2 years if you're 14 now. My son was small for his age until about 14. I'm fairly short at 5'7 and my wife is exactly 5 foot tall. We were both shocked to be looking at a legitimate 6 footer at 16 but that's what happens sometimes. It's a good thing he looks like me or I'd really be wondering!
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Post by mauser98k on Jan 16, 2006 19:07:31 GMT -5
Hah, *gee i hope he doesnt find out about that party 20 years ago* COUGH, anyways yea i think i got myself a steal. mum paypal'd him and hes shippin it out tomorrow.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 16, 2006 22:11:26 GMT -5
You definitely did. Way to go.
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